Communication apparatus

ABSTRACT

A communication apparatus may determine whether specific apparatus identification information for identifying a specific external apparatus is stored in a memory in a case where the specific apparatus identification information is received via a second interface from the specific external apparatus, shift an operating state of the communication apparatus from a non-parent station state to a parent station state in a case where it is determined that the specific apparatus identification information is stored in the memory, receive a wireless connection request from the specific external apparatus via a first interface after the operating state has been shifted from the non-parent station state to the parent station state, and form the wireless network in which the communication apparatus operates as the parent station and the specific external apparatus operates as a child station, in a case where the wireless connection request is received from the specific external apparatus.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation application of U.S. Ser. No.15/079,343 filed on Mar. 24, 2016 and claims priority to Japanese PatentApplication No. 2015-066064, filed on Mar. 27, 2015, the entire contentsof which are hereby incorporated by reference into the presentapplication.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application discloses a communication apparatus capable ofperforming a wireless communication according to a plurality ofcommunication schemes.

BACKGROUND ART

Technology for performing a wireless communication between a firstterminal and an external apparatus according to Wi-Fi is known. Thefirst terminal sends, to the external apparatus via a BLE (abbreviationof Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy), information (i.e. a MACaddress, an SSID, a channel number, a security key, and so forth)related to AP (abbreviation of an access point) to which the firstterminal itself is connected. In this case, the external apparatusactivates a Wi-Fi module, and uses the above information to connect tothe AP. This makes it possible for the first terminal and the externalapparatus to perform a wireless communication according to Wi-Fi.

SUMMARY

As described above, a technology in which a wireless communication isperformed according to Wi-Fi after a wireless communication has beenperformed via BLE is known. In the present application, a technologythat may perform a wireless communication appropriately according to aplurality of communication schemes is provided.

A communication apparatus may comprise a first interface configured toperform a wireless communication according to a first communicationscheme; a second interface configured to perform a wirelesscommunication according to a second communication scheme different fromthe first communication scheme; a processor; and a memory configured tostore apparatus identification information for identifying an externalapparatus with which a wireless connection via the first interface wasestablished, wherein the memory may be configured to further storecomputer-readable instructions therein, the computer-readableinstructions, when executed by the processor, causing the communicationapparatus to perform: determining whether specific apparatusidentification information for identifying a specific external apparatusis stored in the memory in a case where the specific apparatusidentification information is received via the second interface from thespecific external apparatus; shifting an operating state of thecommunication apparatus from a non-parent station state to a parentstation state in a case where it is determined that the specificapparatus identification information is stored in the memory, the parentstation state being a state in which the communication apparatusoperates as a parent station of a wireless network for performing awireless communication via the first interface, and the non-parentstation state being a state different from the parent station state,wherein the operating state of the communication apparatus may bemaintained in the non-parent station state in a case where it isdetermined that the specific apparatus identification information is notstored in the memory; receiving a wireless connection request from thespecific external apparatus via the first interface after the operatingstate of the communication apparatus has been shifted from thenon-parent station state to the parent station state; and establishing afirst wireless connection with the specific external apparatus via thefirst interface so as to form the wireless network in which thecommunication apparatus operates as the parent station and the specificexternal apparatus operates as a child station, in a case where thewireless connection request is received from the specific externalapparatus.

A control method and computer-readable instructions for implementationof the communication apparatus described above, and a non-transitorycomputer-readable recording medium in which the computer-readableinstructions are stored, are also novel and useful. Moreover, acommunication system comprising the communication apparatus describedabove and specific external apparatus is also novel and useful.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a communication system.

FIG. 2 shows a flowchart of a first I/F relation process.

FIG. 3 shows a flowchart of a second I/F relation process.

FIG. 4 shows a sequence chart for a case A of a first embodiment.

FIG. 5 shows sequence charts for cases B1 and B2 of the firstembodiment.

FIG. 6 shows a sequence chart for a case C of a second embodiment.

FIG. 7 shows a sequence chart for a case D1 of the second embodiment.

FIG. 8 shows a sequence chart for a case D2 of the second embodiment.

EMBODIMENTS First Embodiment (Configuration of Communication System 2)

As shown in FIG. 1, a communication system 2 comprises a printer PR anda plurality of portable terminals PT1 and PT 2. The printer PR and theportable terminals PT1 and PT 2 are able to perform a wirelesscommunication with one another.

(Configuration of Printer PR)

The printer PR is a peripheral device that is capable of performing aprint function, that is, a peripheral device such as the portableterminal PT1. The printer PR comprises an operation unit 12, a displayunit 14, a print performing unit 16, a Wi-Fi interface 20, a BT(abbreviation for Bluetooth (registered trademark)) interface 22, and acontroller 30. Each of the units 12 to 30 is connected to a bus line(reference sign omitted). Hereinafter, an interface will be called“I/F”. Furthermore, a near field communication (NFC) I/F 24 is alsodisclosed in FIG. 1, but the NFC I/F 24 is an I/F that is used in asecond embodiment that will be explained below, and may or may not bedisposed in the printer PR of the first embodiment.

The operation unit 12 comprises a plurality of keys. A user can inputvarious instructions into the printer PR by operating the operation unit12. The display unit 14 is a display for displaying various information.The display unit 14 also functions as a so-called touch panel. That is,the display unit 14 also functions as an operation unit operated by theuser. The print performing unit 16 is a printing mechanism such as aninkjet system or laser system.

The Wi-Fi I/F 20 is an I/F for performing a wireless communicationaccording to a Wi-Fi scheme (hereinafter called “Wi-Fi communication”).The Wi-Fi scheme, for example, is a wireless communication scheme basedon The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE)standard 802.11, and standards conforming thereto (e.g. 802.11a, 11b,11g, 11n, and so forth). More specifically, the Wi-Fi I/F 20 supports aWFD (abbreviation of Wi-Fi Direct (registered trademark)) schemeformulated by a Wi-Fi Alliance. The WFD scheme is a wirelesscommunication scheme described in a “Wi-Fi Peer-to-Peer (P2P) TechnicalSpecification Version 1.1” prepared by the Wi-Fi Alliance.

The BT I/F 22 is an I/F for performing a wireless communication(hereinafter called “BT communication”) according to a Bluetooth scheme.The Bluetooth scheme, for example, is a wireless communication schemebased on IEEE standard 802.1.5, and standards conforming thereto. Morespecifically, the BT I/F 22 supports BLE (abbreviation of Bluetooth LowEnergy). The BLE is a standard that is realized using version 4.0 or alater version of the Bluetooth scheme. Hereinafter, Bluetooth versionlower than 4.0 will be called “classic BT”. In order for a BTcommunication to be performed according to BLE between a pair of BTI/Fs, the one BT I/F may support “Bluetooth Smart Ready” establishedusing the BT scheme, and the other BT I/F may support “Bluetooth SmartReady” or “Bluetooth Smart” established using the BT scheme. A BT I/Fthat supports “Bluetooth Smart Ready” is an I/F that is capable ofperforming both a BLE operation and a classic BT operation (i.e. aso-called dual mode I/F). A BT I/F that supports “Bluetooth Smart” is anI/F that is capable of performing a BLE operation, but is not capable ofperforming a classic BT operation. In the present embodiment, a BTcommunication according to BLE is performed between the printer PR andthe portable terminals PT1 and PT 2. Then, since the BT I/F (e.g.reference sign 62) of the portable terminals PT1 and PT 2, which will beexplained below, supports “Bluetooth Smart Ready”, the BT I/F 22 of theprinter PR may support whichever of “Bluetooth Smart Ready” and“Bluetooth Smart”. However, in a variation, the BT I/F of the portableterminals PT1 and PT 2 may support “Bluetooth Smart” when the BT I/F 22of the printer PR supports “Bluetooth Smart Ready”.

The points of difference between classic BT and BLE will be described.The number of BLE channels (i.e. 40) is less than the number of classicBT channels (i.e. 79). Current consumption of a BLE (e.g. 15 mA) at thetime of a data communication is less than the current consumption of aclassic BT (e.g. 35 mA) at the time of a data communication. Therefore,BLE power consumption is lower than the power consumption of the classicBT. Also, an Advertise signal is used in BLE, but an Advertise signal isnot used in classic BT.

The points of difference between the Wi-Fi scheme and the BT scheme willbe described. The communication speed of a Wi-Fi communication (e.g. amaximum communication speed of 600 Mbps) is faster than thecommunication speed of a BT communication (e.g. maximum communicationspeed of 24 Mbps). The frequency of the carrier wave in a Wi-Ficommunication is either a 2.4 GHz range or a 5.0 GHz range. Thefrequency of the carrier wave in a BT communication is the 2.4 GHzrange. That is, in a case where the 5.0 GHz range is used as the carrierwave frequency in a Wi-Fi communication, the carrier wave frequency inthe Wi-Fi communication differs from the carrier wave frequency in theBT communication. Furthermore, the maximum distance over which a Wi-Ficommunication can be performed (e.g. approximately 100 m) is greaterthan the maximum distance over which a BT communication can be performed(e.g. roughly several tens of meters).

The controller 30 comprises a CPU 32 and a memory 34. The CPU 32performs various processes in accordance with a program 36 stored in thememory 34. The memory 34 is configured by a volatile memory and anonvolatile memory. The memory 34 comprises a BT device name storingarea 40. The BT device name storing area 40 is an area for storing thename of the BT device of a portable terminal to which a wirelessconnection via the Wi-Fi I/F 20, that is, a wireless connectionaccording to the Wi-Fi scheme has been established (hereinafter called“connection-established terminal”).

(Configuration of Portable Terminals PT1 and PT 2)

The portable terminals PT1 and PT 2, for example, are portable terminaldevices such as mobile telephones (e.g. smart phones), PDAs, notebookPCs, tablet PCs, portable music players, and portable video players. Theconfiguration of the portable terminal PT1 will be explained below, butportable terminal PT 2 comprises the same configuration as that ofportable terminal PT1.

The portable terminal PT1 comprises an operation unit 52, a display unit54, a Wi-Fi I/F 60, a BT I/F 62, and a controller 70. Each of the units52 to 70 is connected to a bus line (reference sign omitted).Furthermore, an NFC I/F 64 is an I/F used in the second embodiment whichwill be explained below, and may or may not be disposed in the portableterminal PT1 of the first embodiment.

The operation unit 52 comprises a plurality of keys. A user can inputvarious instructions into the portable terminal PT1 by operating theoperation unit 52. The display unit 54 is a display for displayingvarious information. The display unit 54 also functions as a so-calledtouch panel (i.e. also functions as an operation unit). The Wi-Fi I/F 60is an I/F for performing a Wi-Fi communication. The Wi-Fi I/F 60 may ormay not support WFD. The BT I/F 62 is an I/F for performing a BTcommunication, and supports BLE. The differences between the respectiveI/Fs 60 and 62 are the same as the differences between the respectiveI/Fs 20 and 22 of the printer PR.

The controller 70 comprises a CPU 72 and a memory 74. The CPU 72performs various processes in accordance with an OS program 76 stored inthe memory 74. The memory 74 is configured by a volatile memory and anonvolatile memory. The memory 74 not only stores the OS program 76, butalso a printer application 78 and an inquiry application 80. The printerapplication 78 is an application for causing a print function to beperformed on the printer PR. The printer application 78 is started bythe user when the user wishes to cause a print function to be performedon the printer PR. The inquiry application 80 is an application formonitoring the receiving of a Scan_Res signal, which will be explainedbelow, in accordance with a BT communication, and displaying an inquiryscreen in accordance with receiving the Scan_Res signal. The inquiryapplication 80 is a so-called resident application, and is alwaysrunning while the power supply to the portable terminal PT1 is ON. Theapplications 78 and 80, for example, may be installed in the portableterminal PT1 from an Internet server provided by the vendor of theprinter PR, or may be installed in the portable terminal PT1 fromstorage media shipped together with the printer PR. The memory 74 alsostores a BT device name “N1” beforehand. The BT device name “N1” is aunique name allocated to the BT I/F 62, in other words, it is a nameused as information for identifying the portable terminal PT1 in orderfor the portable terminal PT1 to perform a BT communication.Furthermore, the portable terminal PT 2 has the BT device name “N2”,which differs from the BT device name “N1”.

(First I/F Relation Process of Printer PR; FIG. 2)

Next, a first I/F relation process performed by the CPU 32 of theprinter PR will be explained by referring to FIG. 2. The first I/Frelation process is a process related primarily to the Wi-Fi I/F 20. TheCPU 32 commences the process of FIG. 2 when the power supply of theprinter PR is turned ON.

In S2, the CPU 32 generates SSID (abbreviation of a service setidentifier) by randomly generating a character string. Then, the CPU 32causes the SSID to be stored in the memory 34. The SSID is an identifierfor identifying a wireless network for performing a Wi-Fi communication.

Next, the CPU 32 sequentially performs the monitoring processes of S10and S40. In S10, the CPU 32 monitors for a Wi-Fi connection operation tobe performed by the user on either the operation unit 12 or the displayunit 14 (i.e. the touch panel) of the printer PR. The Wi-Fi connectionoperation is an operation for establishing a wireless connectionaccording to the Wi-Fi scheme (hereinafter called “Wi-Fi connection”)between the printer PR and a portable terminal (e.g. PT1). The Wi-Ficonnection operation is not an operation performed by a user of theconnection-established terminal, but rather is normally performed by auser of a portable terminal for which a Wi-Fi connection with theprinter PR was not established in the past. The CPU 32 determines YES inS10 when the Wi-Fi connection operation is performed, and proceeds toS12.

In S12, the CPU 32 changes the Wi-Fi I/F 20 from the OFF state to the ONstate. As used here, the OFF state of the Wi-Fi I/F 20 is a state inwhich power is not being supplied to the Wi-Fi I/F 20, that is, a statein which a Wi-Fi communication cannot be performed. The ON state of theWi-Fi I/F 20 is a state in which power is being supplied to the Wi-FiI/F 20, that is, a state in which a Wi-Fi communication can beperformed.

In S12, the CPU 32 spontaneously causes the operating state of theprinter PR to shift from a device state of WFD to a G/O (abbreviation ofgroup owner) state without performing a WFD G/O negotiation. When in theG/O state, the printer PR sends a beacon signal via the Wi-Fi I/F 20 toinform surrounding apparatuses of its existence. On the other hand, whenin a state other than the G/O state (e.g. the aforementioned devicestate or a client state), the printer PR does not send a beacon signal.Thus, the power consumption of the printer PR when in the G/O state ishigher than the power consumption of the printer PR when in a stateother than the G/O state.

In S14, the CPU 32 obtains the SSID from the memory 34, and causes thedisplay unit 14 to display the obtained SSID. This makes it possible forthe user to find out the SSID required for establishing a Wi-Ficonnection with the printer PR by looking at the display unit 14.Furthermore, as described above, the SSID is stored in the memory 34 inS2. However, when S32 or S54, which will be described below, areperformed after S2 was performed, a new SSID is stored in the memory 34in place of an old SSID in the memory 34. Therefore, in a situation inwhich neither S32 nor S54 has been performed after S2 was performed, theSSID displayed in S14 is the SSID that was generated in S2. In asituation in which either S32 or S54 has been performed after S2 wasperformed, the SSID displayed in S14 is a new SSID that was generated ineither S32 or S54. Hereinafter, the SSID currently stored in the memory34 will be called “current SSID”.

In S16, the CPU 32 determines whether or not a Probe Request signal(hereinafter written as “Probe_Req signal”) has been received from theportable terminal via the Wi-Fi I/F 20. The Probe_Req signal is abroadcast transmission signal from the portable terminal, and morespecifically, is a signal for searching for a G/O state apparatus and anAP that exist around the portable terminal. The CPU 32 determines YES inS16 when the Probe_Req signal has been received, and proceeds to S18. Onthe other hand, the CPU 32 determines NO in S16 when a Probe_Req signalhas not been received during a predetermined period of time after S14has ended, skips S18 to S28, and advances to S30.

In S18, the CPU 32 sends a Probe Response signal (hereinafter written as“Probe_Res signal”) including the current SSID to a portable terminalvia the Wi-Fi I/F 20. The Probe_Res signal is a response signal to theProbe_Req signal. The portable terminal, upon receiving the Probe_Ressignal, displays the SSID included in the Probe_Res signal on thedisplay unit of the portable terminal. At this point, the user of theportable terminal is able to ascertain that the SSID being displayed onthe display unit of the portable terminal is a SSID of which apparatusby comparatively checking the SSID being displayed on the display unitof the portable terminal to the SSID that was displayed on the displayunit 14 of the printer PR in S14 described above, and may select thecurrent SSID of the printer PR. This makes it possible for the user toinstruct the portable terminal to send a Wi-Fi connection requestsignal, which will be explained below.

In S20, the CPU 32 determines whether or not a Wi-Fi connection requestsignal including the current SSID has been received from the portableterminal via the Wi-Fi I/F 20. The Wi-Fi connection request signal is asignal for requesting the PR to establish a Wi-Fi connection, and morespecifically, is an Association Request signal. The CPU 32 determines ofYES in S20 when a Wi-Fi connection request signal including the currentSSID has been received, and proceeds to S22. On the other hand, the CPU32 determines of NO in S20 when a Wi-Fi connection request signalincluding the current SSID has not been received during a predeterminedperiod of time after S18 has ended, skips S22 to S28, and advances toS30.

In S22, the CPU 32 establishes a wireless connection via the Wi-Fi I/F20 (i.e. a Wi-Fi connection) with the portable terminal. Specifically,the CPU 32 performs a communication with the portable terminal via theWi-Fi I/F 20 using various types of signals (e.g. sends an AssociationResponse signal, communicates a 4-way Handshake, and so forth). The CPU32, in the process of communicating the aforementioned various types ofsignals, receives Wi-Fi setting information including the SSID and apassword from the portable terminal and performs an authentication ofthe Wi-Fi setting information. The CPU 32 determines that theauthentication of the Wi-Fi setting information has been successful andestablishes a Wi-Fi connection with the portable terminal in a casewhere the received SSID is identical to the current SSID, and thereceived password is identical to a predetermined password. As usedhere, the predetermined password is a fixed character string that hasbeen set in the printer PR beforehand. That is, in the presentembodiment, when the power supply to the printer PR is turned ON andeither S32 or S54, which will be explained below, is performed, the SSIDchanges, but the password does not change.

As explained above, a Wi-Fi connection is established between theprinter PR and the portable terminal in S22. Consequently a wirelessnetwork of Wi-Fi-scheme (hereinafter written as “Wi-Fi network”) inwhich the printer PR operates in the G/O state and the portable terminaloperates as a so-called legacy, is formed. Legacy signifies an apparatusthat participates in the Wi-Fi network without performing a WFDoperation. Since the printer PR that is in the G/O state manages a Wi-Finetwork, printer PR that is the G/O-state can be called a parent station(in other words, a master device) of the Wi-Fi network. Also, since theportable terminal participates in the Wi-Fi network as a legacy, thelegacy portable terminal can be called a child station (in other words,a slave device) of the Wi-Fi network.

In S24, the CPU 32 uses the Wi-Fi network (i.e. uses the Wi-Ficonnection) so as to receive the portable terminal BT device name fromthe portable terminal via the Wi-Fi I/F 20. Then, the CPU 32 causes thereceived BT device name to be stored in the BT device name storing area40. Consequently, the CPU 32 causes the BT device name of theconnection-established terminal to be stored in the BT device namestoring area 40.

In S26, the CPU 32 uses the Wi-Fi network so as to receive print datarepresenting an image to be printed from the portable terminal via theWi-Fi I/F 20. Then, the CPU 32 supplies the print data to the printperforming unit 16, and causes the print performing unit 16 to print inaccordance with the print data.

In S28, the CPU 32 uses the Wi-Fi network so as to receive adisconnection signal from the portable terminal via the Wi-Fi I/F 20.The disconnection signal is a signal for requesting the disconnection ofthe Wi-Fi connection. As a result of this, the Wi-Fi connection betweenthe printer PR and the portable terminal is disconnected.

In S30, the CPU 32 causes the operating state of the printer PR to shiftfrom the G/O state to the device state. This makes it possible to reducethe power consumption of the printer PR. In S30, the CPU 32 also changesthe Wi-Fi I/F 20 from the ON state to the OFF state. This makes itpossible to reduce the power consumption of the printer PR.

In S32, the CPU 32 generates a new SSID, and causes the new SSID to bestored in the memory 34 in place of the old SSID in the memory 34. Thatis, the CPU 32 changes the SSID. Therefore the security of the Wi-Finetwork may be enhanced since the SSID changes each time the printer PRstops the G/O state. When S32 ends, the CPU 32 returns to S10.

The CPU 32 advances to S40 when it determines NO in S10. In S40, the CPU32 monitors for obtaining of a predetermined notice (refer to S90 ofFIG. 3) from a second I/F relation process on FIG. 3 which will beexplained below. The predetermined notice is a notice that is obtainedfrom the second I/F relation process in a case where a Scan_Req signalis received from the connection-established terminal in accordance witha BT communication. The CPU 32 determines YES in S40 when thepredetermined notice is obtained, and proceeds to S42.

S42 and S44, respectively, are the same as S12 and S20 of FIG. 2. In thecase of YES in S44, the CPU 32 proceeds to S46. The CPU 32 determines NOin S44 in a case where a Wi-Fi connection request signal has not beenreceived during a predetermined period of time after S42 has ended,skips S46 to S50, and advances to S52. S46 to S54 are the same as S22,and S26 to S32. When S54 ends, the CPU 32 returns to S10.

(Second I/F Relation Process of Printer PR; FIG. 3)

Next, a second I/F relation process performed by the CPU 32 of theprinter PR will be explained by referring to FIG. 3. The second I/Frelation process is a process related primarily to the BT I/F 22. TheCPU 32 starts the process of FIG. 3 when the power supply to the printerPR is turned ON.

In S70, the CPU 32 determines whether or not the BT I/F 22 is in the OFFstate. The CPU 32 determines YES in S70 and proceeds to S72 in a casewhere the CPU 32 inquires the state of the BT I/F 22 of the BT I/F 22and obtains information indicating the OFF state from the BT I/F 22, andCPU 32 determines NO in S70 and proceeds to S80 in a case where the CPU32 obtains information indicating the ON state from the BT I/F 22. Herethe OFF state of the BT I/F 22 is a state in which power is not suppliedto the BT I/F 22, that is, a state in which a BT communication cannot beperformed. The ON state of the BT I/F 22 is a state in which power isbeing supplied to the BT I/F 22, that is, a state in which a BTcommunication can be performed. The power consumption (i.e. the powerconsumption of the BLE) of the BT I/F 22 in the ON state is lower thanthe power consumption of the Wi-Fi I/F 20 in the ON state.

In S72, the CPU 32 determines whether or not one or more BT device namesare stored in the BT device name storing area 40 in the memory 34. TheCPU 32 determines YES in S72 in a case where one or more BT device namesare stored, and in S74, changes the BT I/F 22 from the OFF state to theON state. Since the BT I/F 22 can be set to the OFF state until the BTI/F 22 is changed to the ON state in S74, the power consumption of theprinter PR can be reduced. When S74 ends, the CPU 32 returns to S70. Onthe other hand, in a case where no BT device names are stored, the CPU32 determines NO in S72 and returns to S70 without performing S74.

In S80 (i.e. the BT I/F 22 is in the ON state), the CPU 32 broadcasts anAdvertise signal via the BT I/F 22. The Advertise signal is a signal fornotifying apparatuses around the printer PR of the printer's existence.In particular, the CPU 32 sends the Advertise signal to the exteriorwithout establishing a Bluetooth logical link (i.e. a Bluetooth-schemewireless connection). More specifically, in a Bluetooth protocol stack,the signal is sent to the exterior by a communication of a layer lowerthan an L2CAP layer (i.e. Link Manager layer or Link Layer layer) beingperformed without a communication of a layer higher than or equal to theL2CAP layer being performed. The L2CAP layer is a highest layer forestablishing a Bluetooth logical link. That is, the Advertise signal issent to the exterior by a communication of a lower layer which is lowerthan the highest layer for establishing a logical link being performedwithout a communication of the highest layer being performed.

In S82, the CPU 32 determines whether or not a Scan Request signal(hereinafter written as “Scan_Req signal”) was received from theportable terminal via the BT I/F 22. The Scan_Req signal is a unicastsignal sent from the portable terminal that received the Advertisesignal. The Scan_Req signal is a signal for requesting Wi-Fi settinginformation including the SSID and the password to the printer PR. Inparticular, the CPU 32 is able to receive the Scan_Req signal evenwithout establishing a logical link. That is, the Scan_Req signal isreceived from the exterior by a communication being performed at a lowerlayer than a highest layer for establishing a logical link without acommunication being performed at the highest layer. The CPU 32determines YES in S82 and proceeds to S84 in a case where the Scan_Reqsignal has been received. The Scan_Req signal includes the BT devicename of the portable terminal that is the source of the Scan_Req signal.On the other hand, when a Scan_Req signal has not been received during apredetermined period of time after S80 has ended, the CPU 32 determinesNO in S82, skips S84, S90 and S92, and returns to S70.

In S84, the CPU 32 determines whether or not the BT device name includedin the Scan_Req signal received in S82 is stored in the BT device namestoring area in the memory 34. The CPU 32 determines YES in S84 andproceeds to S90 in a case where the BT device name is stored in the BTdevice name storing area, that is, in a case where the portable terminalthat is the source of the Scan_Req signal is the connection-establishedterminal. On the other hand, the CPU 32 determines NO in S84, skips S90and S92, and returns to S70 in a case where the BT device name is notstored in the BT device name storing area, that is, in a case where aWi-Fi connection has not been established in the past with the portableterminal that is the source of the Scan_Req signal.

In S90, the CPU 32 supplies a predetermined notice to the first I/Frelation process (refer to FIG. 2). Consequently, the Wi-Fi I/F 20 ischanged to the ON state, and the operating state of the printer PR isshifted to the G/O state (YES in S40, and S42 of FIG. 2)

In S92, the CPU 32 sends a Scan Response signal (hereinafter written as“Scan_Res signal”) via the BT I/F 22 to the portable terminal that isthe source of the Scan_Req signal. The Scan_Res signal is a responsesignal to the Scan_Req signal, and in the present embodiment, includesthe current SSID and a predetermined password (i.e. a fixed characterstring set in the printer PR beforehand). The CPU 32 sends the Scan_Ressignal without establishing a logical link. That is, the Scan_Res signalis sent to the exterior by a communication being performed at a lowerlayer than a highest layer for establishing a logical link without acommunication being performed at the highest layer. When S92 ends, theCPU 32 returns to S70.

Furthermore, as described above, a determination of NO is made in S70,and S80 is performed once again when S82 is NO, S84 is NO, or S70 isperformed once again after S92. That is, the CPU 32 repeats a broadcasttransmission of the Advertise signal.

(Specific Cases)

Next, specific cases realized by the processes of FIGS. 2 and 3 will beexplained by referring to FIGS. 4 and 5. In FIGS. 4 and 5, thick linearrows and thin line arrows between the printer PR and the portableterminals PT1 and PT 2, respectively, indicate Wi-Fi communications andBT communications.

(Case A; FIG. 4)

In an initial state of a case A, the power to the printer PR is turnedOFF. In addition, the portable terminal PT1 has not established a Wi-Ficonnection with the printer PR in the past. That is, the BT device name“N1” of the portable terminal PT1 is not stored in the BT device namestoring area 40 in the memory 34 of the printer PR. Furthermore, noportable terminal BT device names are stored in the BT device namestoring area 40.

In A0, the power supply to the printer PR is turned ON by the user. Inthis case, in T2, the printer PR generates an SSID “X1” (S2 in FIG. 2).

In A1, a Wi-Fi connection operation is performed on the printer PR bythe user of the portable terminal PT1. In this case, in T10, the printerPR changes the Wi-Fi I/F 20 to the ON state and shifts to the G/O state(S12 in FIG. 2), and in T12, displays the SSID “X1” (S14).

In A2, a print instruction operation is performed on the portableterminal PT1 by the user. The print instruction operation includes anoperation for activating the printer application 78, and an operationfor specifying a file (i.e. the print data) representing the image to beprinted. The following processes (i.e. T20, T30, and so forth) performedby the portable terminal PT1 are realized using the printer application78. In T20, the portable terminal PT1 broadcasts the Probe_Req signal.

The printer PR, in a case where the Probe_Req signal is received fromthe portable terminal PT1 (YES in S16 of FIG. 2), in T22, sends theProbe_Res signal including the SSID “X1” to the portable terminal PT1(S18). Furthermore, in a case where the print instruction operation ofA2 is not performed on the portable terminal PT1, the Probe_Req signalis not sent from the portable terminal PT1, and as a result the printerPR determines NO in S16 of FIG. 2.

The portable terminal PT1, in a case where the Probe_Res signal isreceived from the printer PR, in T30, displays the SSID “X1” included inthe Probe_Res signal. Furthermore, in a case where the portable terminalPT1 further receives a Probe_Res signal from a different apparatus thanthe printer PR, the portable terminal PT1 displays not only the SSID“X1”, but also a SSID included in that Probe_Res signal. That is, inT30, the portable terminal PT1 displays one or more SSIDs including theSSID “X1”. At this point, by comparing the one or more SSIDs displayedon the portable terminal PT1 to the SSID “X1” displayed on the printerPR in the above-described T12, the user can confirm the SSID “X1” of theprinter PR from among the aforementioned one or more SSIDs.

In A3, an operation for selecting the SSID “X1” from among the one ormore SSIDs is performed on the portable terminal PT1 by the user. Inthis case, in T32, the portable terminal PT1 displays a password inputscreen for inputting the password. For example, the printer PRadministrator notifies the user of the portable terminal PT1 beforehandas to the predetermined password “PS” of the printer PR. In A4, anoperation for inputting the password “PS” is performed on the portableterminal PT1 by the user. In this case, in T34, the portable terminalPT1 sends, to the printer PR, a Wi-Fi connection request signalincluding the SSID “X1” selected in A3. Furthermore, in a case where anSSID that differs from the SSID “X1” is selected in A3 and/or theoperation is canceled without the password being inputted in A4, theWi-Fi connection request signal is not sent from the portable terminalPT1, and as a result, the printer PR determines NO in S20 of FIG. 2.

The printer PR, in a case where the Wi-Fi connection request signal isreceived from the portable terminal PT1 (YES in S20 of FIG. 2), in T36,establishes a Wi-Fi connection with the portable terminal PT1 (S22).Furthermore, in the T36 process, the printer PR receives from theportable terminal PT1 Wi-Fi setting information including the SSID “X1”and the password “PS”, performs an authentication of the Wi-Fi settinginformation, and because the authentication is successful in this case,establishes a Wi-Fi connection with the portable terminal PT1.Consequently, a Wi-Fi network in which the printer PR operates as theparent station and the portable terminal PT1 operates as the childstation is formed.

The portable terminal PT1, after the Wi-Fi connection with the printerPR has been established, in T40, uses the Wi-Fi connection so as to sendthe printer PR the BT device name “N1” of the portable terminal PT1.

The printer PR, in a case where the BT device name “N1” is received fromthe portable terminal PT1, in T42, stores the BT device name “N1” in theBT device name storing area 40 (S24 of FIG. 2). As a result, in T44, theprinter PR changes the BT I/F 22 to the ON state (YES in S70, YES inS72, and S74 of FIG. 3).

The portable terminal PT1, after sending the BT device name “N1” to theprinter PR, in T50, uses the Wi-Fi connection so as to send the printerPR the print data specified in A2.

The printer PR, in a case where the print data is received from theportable terminal PT1, in T52, performs a print process according to theprint data (S26 of FIG. 2). Furthermore, a configuration in which theprinter PR receives the print data from the portable terminal PT1 usinga BT communication is conceivable. However, there is a possibility thatthe print data may be large in size, and, in addition, and thecommunication speed of a BT communication is slower than thecommunication speed of a Wi-Fi communication. Therefore, in a case thatemploys the configuration in which a BT communication is used tocommunicate the print data, the print data communication may take a longtime. By contrast, in the present embodiment, a Wi-Fi communication isused to communicate the print data, thereby making it possible tocommunicate the print data quickly.

The portable terminal PT1, after sending the print data to the printerPR, in T60, sends a disconnection signal for disconnecting the Wi-Ficonnection to the printer PR.

The printer PR, in a case where the disconnection signal is receivedfrom the portable terminal PT1 (S28 in FIG. 2), in T62, shifts from theG/O state to the device state, and changes the Wi-Fi I/F 20 to the OFFstate (S30). Then, in T64, the printer PR generates an SSID “X2” thatdiffers from the SSID “X1” (S32).

(Case B1; FIG. 5)

A case B1 of FIG. 5 is a continuation of the case A, and the Wi-Fi I/F20 is in the OFF state (refer to T62 of FIG. 4) and the BT I/F 22 is inthe ON state (refer to T44). Furthermore, the printer application 78 isnot running on the portable terminal PT1, which is theconnection-established terminal, but the inquiry application 80 isrunning.

In T100, the printer PR sends the Advertise signal (S80 of FIG. 3). In acase where the distance between the printer PR and the portable terminalPT1 is greater than the maximum distance (e.g. approximately severaltens of meters) over which a BT communication can be performed, theAdvertise signal is not received by the portable terminal PT1, and as aresult the Scan_Req signal is not sent to the printer PR from theportable terminal PT1. Therefore, the printer PR repeatedly sends theAdvertise signal (NO in S82, NO in S70, and S80 of FIG. 3).

As described above, when one or more BT device names are stored in theBT device name storing area 40, the BT I/F 22 is in the ON state (referto T44 of FIG. 4), and the printer PR repeatedly sends the Advertisesignal (T100). On the other hand, when no BT device names are stored,the printer PR maintains the BT I/F 22 in the OFF state and does notsend the Advertise signal (No in S72 and YES in S70 of FIG. 3). Thus,the printer PR is able to realize power savings.

When the user approaches the printer carrying the portable terminal PT1,the distance between the printer PR and the portable terminal PT1becomes less than the maximum distance over which the BT communicationcan be performed. In this case, the portable terminal PT1 receives theAdvertise signal from the printer PR, and in T102, sends the Scan_Reqsignal including the BT device name “N1” of the portable terminal PT1,to the printer PR. Furthermore, the process of T102 may be realized byeither the inquiry application 80 or the OS program 76.

The printer PR, in a case where the Scan_Req signal is received from theportable terminal PT1 (YES in S82 of FIG. 3), in T104, determines thatthe BT device name “N1” included in the Scan_Req signal is stored in theBT device name storing area 40 (YES in S84). Therefore, in T106, theprinter PR changes the Wi-Fi I/F 20 to the ON state, and shifts to theG/O state (S90 of FIG. 3, YES in S40, and S42 of FIG. 2). Next, in T110,the printer PR sends the Scan_Res signal including the SSID “X2”generated in T64 of FIG. 4 and the predetermined password “PS” (S92 ofFIG. 3) to the portable terminal PT1.

The portable terminal PT1 (i.e. the inquiry application 80) monitors forthe receiving of the Scan_Res signal from the printer PR, and uponreceiving the Scan_Res signal, in T112, displays an inquiry screen. Theinquiry screen is a screen for inquiring of the user as to whether ornot to establish a Wi-Fi connection between the printer PR and theportable terminal PT1, and includes an OK button and a cancel button. InA10, an operation for selecting the OK button in the inquiry screen isperformed on the portable terminal PT1 by the user, and, in addition,the print instruction operation is performed on the portable terminalPT1 by the user. The print instruction operation is the same as that ofA2 in FIG. 4. Then, in T114, the portable terminal PT1 sends the Wi-Ficonnection request signal including the SSID “X2” received in T110 tothe printer PR, without displaying the screen for selecting the SSID(refer to T30 of FIG. 4) and the password input screen (refer to T32).These screens are not displayed because the SSID “X2” and the password“PS” were received in T110. Thus, the user is able to easily establishthe second and subsequent Wi-Fi connection between the printer PR andthe portable terminal PT1. Furthermore, in a case where an operation forselecting the cancel button in the inquiry screen is performed, theWi-Fi connection request signal is not sent from the portable terminalPT1, and as a result, the printer PR determines NO in S44 of FIG. 2.

The printer PR, in a case where the Wi-Fi connection request signal isreceived from the portable terminal PT1 (YES in S44 of FIG. 2), in T116,establishes the Wi-Fi connection with the portable terminal PT1 (S46).T116 is the same as T36 of FIG. 4 except for the fact that the SSID “X2”and the password “PS” received in T110 are used.

As described above, in a case where the OK button in the inquiry screendisplayed on the portable terminal PT1 is selected (A10), the printer PRreceives the Wi-Fi connection request signal from the portable terminalPT1 (T114), and established the Wi-Fi connection with the portableterminal PT1 (T116). Therefore, the printer PR is able to establish theWi-Fi connection with the portable terminal PT1, which is theconnection-established terminal, in accordance with the intentions ofthe user of the portable terminal PT1.

T130, T132, T140, T142 and T144, which are performed following T116, arethe same as T50, T52, T60, T62, and T64, respectively, of FIG. 4 (S48 toS54 of FIG. 2). Furthermore, in T144, an SSID “X3” is generated.

(Case B2)

A case B2 is also a continuation of the case A. The BT device name “N2”of the portable terminal PT 2 is not stored in the BT device namestoring area 40 in the memory 34 of the printer PR. In the portableterminal PT 2, the printer application 78 is not running, but theinquiry application 80 is running.

In T150, the printer PR repeatedly sends the Advertise signal the sameas in T100 (S80 of FIG. 3). When the distance between the printer PR andthe portable terminal PT 2 becomes less than the maximum distance overwhich it is possible to perform the BT communication, the portableterminal PT 2 receives the Advertise signal from the printer PR, and inT152, sends the Scan_Req signal including the BT device name “N2” of theportable terminal PT 2, to the printer PR. Furthermore, the processingof T152 may be realized by either the inquiry application 80 or the OSprogram 76.

The printer PR, in a case where the Scan_Req signal is received from theportable terminal PT 2 (YES in S82 of FIG. 3), in T154, determines thatthe BT device name “N2” included in the Scan-Req signal is not stored inthe BT device name storing area 40 (NO in S84). Therefore, the printerPR maintains the Wi-Fi I/F 20 in the OFF state and does not shift to theG/O state. Therefore, the power consumption of the printer PR can bereduced. Also, the printer PR does not send Wi-Fi setting informationincluding the SSID “X2” and the password “PS” to the portable terminalPT2. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the supplying of the Wi-Fisetting information, for example, to the portable terminal PT2, whichhas not been given permission to use the printer PR by the printer PRadministrator.

Effects of the Present Embodiment

As shown in the case B2 of FIG. 5, in a case where the BT device name“N2” received in accordance with the BT communication is not stored inthe BT device name storing area 40 (T154), that is, in a case where theWi-Fi connection has not been established with the portable terminal PT2in the past, the possibility of establishing a Wi-Fi connection with theportable terminal PT2 is low, and as such, the printer PR maintains theWi-Fi I/F 20 in the OFF state, and maintains the device state withoutshifting to the G/O state. Therefore, the printer PR is able to realizepower savings. On the other hand, as shown in the case B1, in a casewhere the BT device name “N1” received in accordance with the BTcommunication is stored in the BT device name storing area 40 (T104),that is, in a case where the Wi-Fi connection has been established withthe portable terminal PT1 in the past, the possibility of establishing aWi-Fi connection with the portable terminal PT1 is high, and as such,the printer PR changes the Wi-Fi I/F 20 to the ON state and shifts tothe G/O state (T106). This makes it possible for the printer PR toappropriately establish the Wi-Fi connection with the portable terminalPT1 in a case where the Wi-Fi connection request is received from theportable terminal PT1 which is the connection-established terminal(T114). Thus, the printer PR is able to appropriately perform wirelesscommunications according to a plurality of communication schemesincluding the Wi-Fi scheme and the BT scheme (T116).

(Corresponding Relationships)

The printer PR and the portable terminals PT1 and PT2, respectively, areexamples of a “communication apparatus” and “specific externalapparatus”. The Wi-Fi scheme and the Wi-Fi I/F 20, respectively, areexamples of a “first communication scheme” and a “first interface”. TheBT scheme and the BT I/F 22, respectively, are examples of a “secondcommunication scheme” and a “second interface”. The BT device names “N1”and “N2” are examples of “specific apparatus identificationinformation”. The device state and the G/O state, respectively, areexamples of a “non-parent station state” and a “parent station state”.The Wi-Fi I/F 20 OFF state and ON state, respectively, are examples of a“first state” and a “second state”. The Advertise signal is an exampleof a “specific signal”.

Also, the Wi-Fi connection established in T116 of FIG. 5 and the Wi-Ficonnection established in T36 of FIG. 4, respectively, are examples of a“first wireless connection” and a “second wireless connection”. The SSID“X2” and the password “PS” included in the Scan_Req signal sent in T110of FIG. 5 are examples of “first network-related information”. Theselection of the OK button in A10 of FIG. 5 is an example of a“predetermined instruction”.

Second Embodiment

A second embodiment will be explained by focusing on the points ofdifference with the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the printer PRcomprises an NFC I/F 24 for performing the wireless communicationaccording to an NFC scheme (hereinafter called “NFC communication”). TheNFC I/F 24 comprises a memory 26. The NFC I/F 24 is constantlymaintained in the ON state while the power supply to the printer PR isON (i.e. power is constantly supplied to the NFC I/F 24). In addition,each of the portable terminals PT1 and PT2 also comprises an NFC I/F 64.

The NFC scheme is a wireless communication scheme for a so-called nearfield wireless communication, and, for example, is the wirelesscommunication scheme based on international standard ISO/IEC 21481 or18092. The communication speed of the NFC communication (e.g. a maximumcommunication speed of 424 Kbps) is slower than the communication speedof the BT communication (e.g. a maximum communication speed of 24 Mbps).In the NFC communication, the frequency of the carrier wave (e.g. the13.56 MHz range) differs from that of a Wi-Fi communication carrier wavefrequency (e.g. either the 2.4 GHz range or the 5.0 GHz range) and thatof a BT communication carrier wave frequency (e.g. the 2.4 GHz range).Also, the maximum distance over which it is possible to perform the NFCcommunication (e.g. approximately 10 cm) is shorter than the maximumdistance over which it is possible to perform the BT communication (e.g.approximately several tens of meters).

(First I/F Relation Process of Printer PR; FIG. 2)

A first I/F relation process of the present embodiment will be explainedby referring to FIG. 2. S2, S10, S14 to S18, S32 and S54 differs fromthose in the first embodiment.

In S2, the CPU 32 generates an SSID, causes the SSID to be stored in thememory 34, and, in addition, supplies the SSID to the NFC I/F 24.Consequently, the SSID is stored in the memory 26 of the NFC I/F 24.Similarly, in S32 and S54, the CPU 32 supplies a SSID to the NFC I/F 24.Consequently, the new SSID is stored in the memory 26 of the NFC I/F 24in place of the old SSID.

In S10, the CPU 32 monitors for a communication link to be establishedvia the NFC I/F 24 (hereinafter called “NFC link”). The CPU 32determines of YES in S10 and proceeds to S12 when information indicatingthat the NFC link has been established is obtained from the NFC I/F 24.In the present embodiment, S14 to S18 are not performed. Therefore, whenS12 ends, the CPU 32 proceeds to S20.

(Specific Cases)

Next, specific cases of the present embodiment will be explained byreferring to FIGS. 6 to 8. In FIGS. 6 to 8, thick line arrows, thin linearrows, and broken line arrows between the printer PR and the portableterminals PT1, PT2 indicate respectively Wi-Fi communications, BTcommunications, and NFC communications.

(Case C; FIG. 6)

In an initial state of a case C, the power supply to the printer PR isturned OFF. Also, no portable terminal BT device names are stored in theBT device name storing area 40 in the memory 34 of the printer PR.

In A0, the power supply to the printer PR is turned ON by the user. Inthis case, in T200, the printer PR changes the NFC I/F 24 to the ONstate, generates the SSID “X1”, supplies the SSID “X1” to the NFC I/F24, and causes the SSID “X1” to be stored in the memory 26 (S2 of FIG.2).

In A20, the print instruction operation is performed on the portableterminal PT1 by the user. Then, the user approaches the portableterminal PT1 to the printer PR. Consequently, the distance between theprinter PR and the portable terminal PT1 becomes shorter than themaximum distance over which it is possible to perform the NFCcommunication (e.g. 10 cm), and as a result, in T210, the NFC link isestablished between the printer PR and the portable terminal PT1.

As described above, the SSID “X1” is stored in the memory 26 of the NFCI/F 24 in the printer PR (T200). Then, when an NFC link is established,in T212, the NFC I/F 24 sends, to the portable terminal PT1, the SSID“X1” in the memory 26 without receiving an instruction from the CPU 32of the controller 30. However, the password “PS” is not sent to theportable terminal PT1 at this point. T220 is the same as T10 of FIG. 4(S12 of FIG. 2).

The portable terminal PT1, in a case where the SSID “X1” is receivedfrom the printer PR, determines whether or not the Scan_Res signal isreceived in accordance with the BT communication within a predeterminedtime period prior to receiving the SSID “X1”. In the case C, theportable terminal PT1 determines that the Scan_Res signal is notreceived within the predetermined time period, and in this case, inT230, displays the password input screen. Furthermore, in the case whereit is determined that the Scan_Res signal is received within thepredetermined time period, the portable terminal PT1 determines whetheror not the SSID “X1” received in accordance with the NFC communicationand the SSID included in the Scan_Res signal received in accordance withthe BT communication are identical. Then, in the case where it isdetermined that the two SSIDs are not identical, the portable terminalPT1 displays the password input screen. Also, in a case where it isdetermined that the two SSIDs are identical, the portable terminal PT1does not display the password input screen, in which case T324 and thesubsequent processes of FIG. 7 which will be explained below areperformed.

In A21, an operation for inputting the password “PS” is performed on theportable terminal PT1 by the user. T234 to T264, which are performedfollowing A21, are the same as T34 to T64 of FIG. 4 (S20 to S32 of FIG.2). However, in T264, the generated SSID “X2” is stored in the memory 26of the NFC I/F 24.

(Case D1; FIG. 7)

A case D1 of FIG. 7 is a continuation of the case C, and the Wi-Fi I/F20 is in the OFF state (refer to T262 of FIG. 6), the BT I/F 22 is inthe ON state (refer to T244), and the NFC I/F 24 is in the ON state.Furthermore, the printer application 78 is not running in the portableterminal PT1, which is the connection-established terminal, but theinquiry application 80 is running.

T300 to T316 are the same as T100 to T116 of FIG. 5 (S40 to S46 of FIG.2, and S80 to S92 of FIG. 3). Also, A30 is the same as A10 of FIG. 5.The user approaches the portable terminal PT1 to the printer PR afterperforming the operation of A30. Consequently, in T320, the NFC link isestablished between the printer PR and the portable terminal PT1.

The SSID “X2” is stored in the memory 26 of the NFC I/F 24 of theprinter PR (T264 of FIG. 6). Then, when the NFC link is established, inT322, the NFC I/F 24 sends the SSID “X2” in the memory 26 to theportable terminal PT1.

The portable terminal PT1, in a case where the SSID “X2” is receivedfrom the printer PR, determines that the Scan_Res signal has beenreceived in accordance with the BT communication within thepredetermined time period prior to receiving the SSID “X2” (refer toT310), and, in addition, in T324, determines that the SSID “X2” receivedin accordance with the NFC communication and the SSID “X2” included inthe Scan_Res signal received in accordance with the BT communication areidentical. In this case, the portable terminal PT1, in T330, uses theWi-Fi connection so as to send the printer PR the print data specifiedin A30 without displaying the password input screen. T332 to T344 arethe same as T132 to T144 of FIG. 5 (S48 to S54 of FIG. 2). However, inT344, the generated SSID “X3” is stored in the memory 26 of the NFC I/F24.

(Case D2; FIG. 8)

A case D2 of FIG. 8 is also a continuation of the case C. The BT devicename “N2” of the portable terminal PT2 is not stored in the BT devicename storing area 40 in the memory 34 of the printer PR.

T350 to T354 are the same as T150 to T154 of FIG. 5. In T154, theprinter PR determines that the BT device name “N2” included in theScan_Req signal is not stored in the BT device name storing area 40 (NOin S84), maintains the Wi-Fi I/F 20 in the OFF state, and does not shiftto the G/O state. Also, the printer PR does not send the Wi-Fi settinginformation including the SSID “X2” and the password “PS” to theportable terminal PT2.

A40 and A41 are the same as A20 and A21 of FIG. 6 with the exception ofbeing performed on the portable terminal PT2. Also, T410 to T430 are thesame as T210 to T230 of FIG. 6 (YES in S10, and S12 of FIG. 2). Also,the processes subsequent to T430 are the same as T234 to T264 of FIG. 6.

Effects of the Present Embodiment

As shown in the case D2 of FIG. 8, since the possibility of establishingthe Wi-Fi connection with the portable terminal PT2 is low in a casewhere the BT device name “N2” received in accordance with the BTcommunication is not stored in the BT device name storing area 40(T354), the printer PR maintains the Wi-Fi I/F 20 in the OFF state, andmaintains the device state without shifting to the G/O state until theNFC link is established (T410). Therefore, the printer PR is able torealize power savings. On the other hand, as shown in the case D1 ofFIG. 7, since the possibility of establishing the Wi-Fi connection withthe portable terminal PT1 is high in a case where the BT device name“N1” received in accordance with the BT communication is stored in theBT device name storing area 40 (T304), the printer PR changes the Wi-FiI/F 20 to the ON state, and shifts to the G/O state (T306). As a result,in a case where the Wi-Fi connection request is received from theportable terminal PT1, which is the connection-established terminal(T314), the printer PR can appropriately establish a Wi-Fi connectionwith the portable terminal PT1 (T316).

In particular, in the present embodiment, as the establishing of the NFClink between the printer PR and the portable terminals PT1 and PT2 is atrigger, print data is sent to the printer PR from the portableterminals PT1, PT2 (T250 of FIG. 6, and T330 of FIG. 7). In the case Cof FIG. 6, the printer PR shifts to the G/O state when the NFC link isestablished (T220). However, after the printer PR starts the process ofshifting to the G/O state, a certain amount of time (e.g. 10 seconds) isrequired for the shift to the G/O state to be completed. Therefore, acertain period of time is required from when the user brings theportable terminal PT1 close to the printer PR and the NFC link isestablished until the printing is performed (T252). By contrast, in thecase D1 of FIG. 7, the printer PR shifts to the G/O state (T306) inaccordance with performing the BT communication (T302), which is alonger distance wireless communication than the NFC communication.Therefore, normally the printer PR has completed the shift to the G/Ostate when the user approaches the portable terminal PT1 to the printerPR and the NFC link is established (T320). Thus, printing is quicklyperformed (T332) after the user approached the portable terminal PT1 tothe printer PR and the NFC link was established. That is, the printer PRis able to perform printing quickly in accordance with the instruction(i.e. establish NFC link) from the portable terminal PT1, which is theconnection-established terminal. This enables the printer PR toappropriately perform the wireless communication according to aplurality of communication schemes including the Wi-Fi scheme, the BTscheme, and the NFC scheme.

(Corresponding Relationships)

The NFC scheme and the NFC I/F 24, respectively, are examples of a“third communication scheme” and a “third interface”. The SSID “X1” sentin T212 of FIG. 6 is an example of “second network-related information”.

(Variation 1)

In the embodiments, the printer PR changes the Wi-Fi I/F 20 to the ONstate in S12 or S42 of FIG. 2. Alternatively, the Wi-Fi I/F 20 may beconstantly maintained in the ON state while the power supply to theprinter PR is ON.

(Variation 2)

In the embodiments, the “first state” of the “first interface” is theOFF state, in which power is not supplied to the Wi-Fi I/F 20.Alternatively, the “first state” may be a state in which a small amountof power is supplied to the Wi-Fi I/F 20. In this case, the “firststate” may be a state in which it is possible to perform a wirelesscommunication via the Wi-Fi I/F 20, and may be a state in which it isnot possible to perform a wireless communication via the Wi-Fi I/F 20.However, in the case of the former, for example, the “first state” maybe a state in which the communication speed is slower than the “secondstate”. Also, in the case of the former, for example, the “first state”may be a state in which it is not possible to perform a communication ofa high layer (e.g. the application layer) which is higher than adatalink layer of a OSI reference model, and is possible to perform acommunication of a low layer which is lower than or equal to thedatalink layer of a OSI reference model.

(Variation 3)

In the first embodiment, in T110 of FIG. 5, the printer PR sends theSSID “X2” and the password “PS” to the portable terminal PT1.Alternatively, the printer PR may send the portable terminal PT1 theSSID “X2”, but need not send the password “PS” to the portable terminalPT1. In this case, the password input screen is displayed on theportable terminal PT1, and the password is inputted to the portableterminal PT1 by the user. In the present variation, only the SSID “X2”is an example of the “first network-related information”.

(Variation 4)

In the embodiments, in S24 of FIG. 2, the printer PR uses the Wi-Ficonnection so as to receive the BT device name from the portableterminal. Alternatively, the printer PR, for example, may use the BTcommunication so as to receive the BT device name from the portableterminal. Also, in the second embodiment, the printer PR, for example,may use the NFC communication so as to receive the BT device name fromthe portable terminal. For example, the printer PR may use the NFC linkestablished in T210 of FIG. 6 so as to receive the BT device name “N1”from the portable terminal PT1.

(Variation 5)

The printer PR need not support WFD and alternatively may support aso-called SoftAP. In this case, in S12 and S42 of FIG. 2, the printer PRruns the SoftAP, and in S30 and S52, stops the SoftAP. In the presentvariation, a state in which the SoftAP is not running and a state inwhich the SoftAP is running, respectively, are examples of the“non-parent station state” and the “parent station state”.

(Variation 6)

The printer PR may store other information for identifying the portableterminal (e.g. a MAC address, an IP address, or the like) instead ofstoring the BT device name of the portable terminal. In the presentvariation, the aforementioned other identification information is anexample of “apparatus identification information”.

(Variation 7)

In the embodiments, the printer PR password is fixed information, butthe SSID of the printer PR changes each time the printer PR stops theG/O state. Alternatively, both the SSID and the password of the printerPR may be fixed information. Then, in S92 of FIG. 3, the printer PR maysend a Scan_Res signal including neither the SSID nor the password tothe portable terminal. In this case, the portable terminal PT1 storesboth the SSID and the password of the printer PR when the Wi-Ficonnection with the printer PR is established in T36 of FIG. 4 or T236of FIG. 6. Instead of T110 of FIG. 5 or T310 of FIG. 7, the portableterminal PT1, in a case where the Scan_Res signal including neither theSSID nor the password is received, displays the inquiry screen in eitherT112 or T312, and uses the stored SSID and password to establish theWi-Fi connection with the printer PR in T114 and T116 (or T314 andT316).

(Variation 8)

The printer PR in the first embodiment may comprise the NFC I/F 24without comprising the BT I/F 22. Then, the printer PR may store otherinformation for identifying the connection-established terminal (e.g. aMAC address) instead of storing the BT device name of theconnection-established terminal. In the present variation, in S70 andS74 of FIG. 3, the printer PR controls the state of the NFC I/F 24instead of the BT I/F 22. Also, the printer PR monitors for the NFC linkto be established in S82 without performing S80, and in S84, uses theNFC link to receive identification information of the portable terminal,and determines whether or not the identification information has beenstored. The printer PR, in a case where it is determined that theidentification information of the portable terminal has been stored (YESin S84), performs S90, and, in addition, in S92, uses the NFCcommunication to send the SSID and the password to the portableterminal. Also, instead of T102 of FIG. 5, the portable terminal PT1 mayuse the NFC communication so as to send the identification informationto the printer PR, and instead of T110, may use the NFC communication soas to receive the SSID and the password from the printer PR, andthereafter perform T112 and subsequent processing. In the presentvariation, and NFC scheme and the NFC I/F 24 are examples of the “secondcommunication scheme” and the “second interface”, respectively.

(Variation 9)

In variation 8, both the SSID and the password of the printer PR may befixed information. In this case, the printer PR need not perform S92 ofFIG. 3. Instead of T102 of FIG. 5, the portable terminal PT1, afterusing the NFC communication so as to send the identification informationto the printer PR, uses the stored SSID and password to establish theWi-Fi connection with the printer PR in T114 and T116 without performingT110 and T112.

(Variation 10)

In the second embodiment, the printer PR may supply both the SSID andthe password to the NFC I/F in S2, S32, and S54 of FIG. 2. In this case,the printer PR need not perform S92 of FIG. 3. The portable terminal PT1may receive the SSID “X1” and the password “PS” from the printer PR inT212 of FIG. 6, and may use the received SSID “X1” and password “PS” soas to establish the Wi-Fi connection with the printer PR in T234 andT236 without displaying the password input screen (i.e. withoutperforming T230). However, in this case, since the printer PR shifts tothe G/O state in accordance with the NFC link being established in T210,a certain period of time is required from when the NFC link isestablished (T210) until the printing is performed (T252). Also, T310,T312, A30, T314, and T316 of FIG. 7 may not be performed. Then, in T322,the portable terminal PT1 may receive the SSID “X1” and the password“PS” from the printer PR, and thereafter may use the received SSID “X1”and password “PS” so as to establish the Wi-Fi connection with theprinter PR. In this case, since the printer PR shifts to the G/O statein accordance with the Scan_Req signal being received in T302, theprinter PR normally completes the shift to the G/O state at the time theNFC link is established in T320. Therefore, after the NFC link has beenestablished in T320, printing is performed quickly (T332). This enablesthe printer PR to quickly perform printing in accordance with theinstruction (i.e. establish NFC link) from the portable terminal PT1,which is the connection-established terminal. The “secondnetwork-related information” may include the network identificationinformation and the password as in the present variation.

(Variation 11)

In the embodiments, the BT I/F 22 may be maintained in the ON statewhile the power supply to the printer PR is ON. Then, the printer PR mayrepeatedly send the Advertise signal while the printer PR power supplyis ON. That is, the “communication apparatus” may repeatedly send aspecific signal to the exterior regardless of whether or not theapparatus identification information is stored in the memory.

(Variation 12)

In the embodiments, the printer PR may monitor for receiving theAdvertise signal including the BT device name in S82 from the portableterminal without sending the Advertise signal in S80 of FIG. 3. Then, inS84, the printer PR may determine whether or not the portable terminalBT device name included in the Advertise signal has been stored, and inS92, for example, may send the portable terminal the Scan_Req signalincluding the SSID and the password of the printer PR.

(Variation 13)

In the embodiments, in S92 of FIG. 3, the printer PR may establish aBT-scheme logical link (i.e. a BT connection) with the portableterminal, and use the BT connection so as to send the portable terminalthe SSID and the password. That is, the “communication apparatus” maysend the first network-related information to the specific externalapparatus without establishing the wireless connection according to thesecond communication scheme as in the embodiments described above, andmay send the first network-related information to the specific externalapparatus by establishing the wireless connection according to thesecond communication scheme as in the present variation.

(Variation 14)

In the embodiments, the BT I/F 22 of the printer PR may comprise a CPUand a memory. The memory of the BT I/F 22 may store a programbeforehand. The CPU of the BT I/F 22 may be capable of performing the BTcommunication in accordance with the program in the BT I/F 22 memorywithout ever receiving the instruction from the CPU 32 of the controller30. Generally, the “communication apparatus” may comprise two or moreprocessors (e.g. the CPU 32 in the controller 30 of the printer PR andthe CPU in the BT I/F 22), and two or more memories (e.g. the memory 34in the controller 30 and the memory in the BT I/F 22), and therespective processors may perform processes in accordance with therespective programs stored in the respective memories.

(Variation 15)

In the second embodiment, in S2, S32 or S54 of FIG. 2, the CPU 32 of theprinter PR supplies the current SSID to the NFC I/F 24, and causes thecurrent SSID to be stored in the memory 26 of the NFC I/F 24. As aresult, in a case where the NFC link is established with the portableterminal, the NFC I/F 24 is able to send the portable terminal thecurrent SSID even without receiving the instruction from the controller30 (i.e. the CPU 32). Alternatively, in a case where the NFC link isestablished with the portable terminal, the NFC I/F 24 may notify thecontroller 30 (i.e. the CPU 32) that the NFC link has been established,obtain the current SSID from the controller 30, and send the currentSSID to the portable terminal. Generally speaking, the “third interface”may use the communication link so as to send the second network-relatedinformation to the specific external apparatus.

(Variation 16)

In the second embodiment, the print data communication of T330 may beperformed immediately after the Wi-Fi connection has been established inT316 without T320 to T324 of FIG. 7 being performed.

(Variation 17)

In the embodiments, the portable terminal PT1, in a case where theScan_Res signal is received in T110 of FIG. 5 or T310 of FIG. 7, maysend the Wi-Fi connection request signal to the printer PR in T114 orT314 without displaying the inquiry screen in T112 or T312.

(Variation 18)

The “first interface” may not be the I/F for performing the Wi-Ficommunication, but alternatively may be an I/F for performing thewireless communication according to another communication scheme that iscapable of forming a wireless LAN. Also, the “second interface” may notbe the I/F for performing the BT communication, but alternatively, forexample, may be an I/F for performing the wireless communicationaccording to another communication scheme capable of performing a nearfield wireless communication (e.g. TransferJet (registered trademark)scheme).

(Variation 19)

The “communication apparatus” may not be the printer PR, butalternatively, for example, may be a scanner. In this case, for example,instead of receiving print data from the portable terminal PT1 in T50 ofFIG. 4 or T130 of FIG. 5, the scanner may send the portable terminal PT1scan data generated by performing a scan of a document. Also, the“communication apparatus” may be an apparatus that differs from aprinter and a scanner (e.g. a copy machine, a facsimile machine, atelephone set, a PC, a server, a portable terminal, or the like). Also,the “specific external apparatus” may not be the portable terminal, butalternatively may be another apparatus (e.g. a printer, a scanner, acopy machine, a facsimile machine, a telephone set, a desktop PC, aserver, or the like).

(Variation 20)

In the embodiments, the processes of FIG. 2 to FIG. 8 are realized bythe CPU 32 of the printer PR executing the program 36 (i.e. thesoftware). Alternatively, at least one of the processes from among theprocesses of FIG. 2 to FIG. 8 may be realized by a logic circuit orother such hardware.

What is claimed is:
 1. A communication apparatus comprising: a firstinterface configured to perform a wireless communication according to afirst communication scheme; a second interface configured to perform awireless communication according to a second communication schemedifferent from the first communication scheme, the second interfaceconfigured to perform a communication of a particular signal with anexternal apparatus which is different from the communication apparatus;and a processor; and a memory configured to store first information,wherein the memory is configured to further store computer-readableinstructions therein, the computer-readable instructions, when executedby the processor, causing the communication apparatus to perform: afterthe communication of the particular signal has been performed with theexternal apparatus, receiving second information via the secondinterface from the external apparatus; determining whether the receivedsecond information corresponds to the stored first information in a casewhere the second information is received via the second interface fromthe external apparatus; shifting an operating state of the communicationapparatus from a non-parent station state to a parent station state in acase where it is determined that the second information corresponds tothe first information, the parent station state being a state in whichthe communication apparatus operates as a parent station of a wirelessnetwork for performing a wireless communication via the first interface,and the non-parent station state being a state different from the parentstation state, wherein the operating state of the communicationapparatus is maintained in the non-parent station state in a case whereit is determined that the second information does not correspond to thefirst information; sending network information which is related to thewireless network to the external apparatus via the second interface inthe case where it is determined that the second information correspondsto the first information, wherein the network information is not sent tothe external apparatus in the case where it is determined that thesecond information does not correspond to the first information;receiving a wireless connection request from the external apparatus viathe first interface after the network information has been sent to theexternal apparatus; and establishing a first wireless connection withthe external apparatus via the first interface by using the networkinformation so as to form the wireless network in which thecommunication apparatus operates as the parent station and the externalapparatus operates as a child station, in a case where the wirelessconnection request is received from the external apparatus.
 2. Thecommunication apparatus as in claim 1, further comprising: a printperforming unit, wherein the computer-readable instructions, whenexecuted by the processor, cause the communication apparatus to furtherperform: receiving print data from the external apparatus via the firstinterface by using the wireless network after the first wirelessconnection has been established with the external apparatus; and causingthe print performing unit to print in accordance with the print data inresponse to receiving the print data.
 3. The communication apparatus asin claim 2, wherein the computer-readable instructions, when executed bythe processor, cause the communication apparatus to further perform:receiving a disconnection signal via the first interface by using thewireless network from the external apparatus after receiving print datafrom the external apparatus; and disconnecting the first wirelessconnection in response to receiving the disconnection signal.
 4. Thecommunication apparatus as in claim 2, wherein the computer-readableinstructions, when executed by the processor, cause the communicationapparatus to further perform: shifting the operating state of thecommunication apparatus from the parent station state to the non-parentstation state after receiving print data from the external apparatus. 5.The communication apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the first interfaceis configured to be set in any one state among a plurality of statesincluding a first state and a second state in which power consumption ishigher than the first state, and the computer-readable instructions,when executed by the processor, cause the communication apparatus tofurther perform: shifting a state of the first interface from the firststate to the second state in the case where it is determined that thesecond information corresponds to the first information while the stateof the first interface is the first state.
 6. The communicationapparatus as in claim 5, further comprising: a print performing unit,wherein the computer-readable instructions, when executed by theprocessor, cause the communication apparatus to further perform:receiving print data from the external apparatus via the first interfaceby using the wireless network after the first wireless connection hasbeen established with the external apparatus; causing the printperforming unit to print in accordance with the print data in responseto receiving the print data; and shifting the state of the firstinterface from the second state to the first state after receiving printdata from the external apparatus.
 7. The communication apparatus as inclaim 1, wherein the second interface is configured to repeatedly sendthe particular signal so as to perform the communication of theparticular signal with the external apparatus, and the secondinformation is received after the communication apparatus has repeatedlysent the particular signal.
 8. The communication apparatus as in claim1, wherein the first information is identification information foridentifying an apparatus with which the communication apparatus hasestablished a wireless connection via the first interface, the secondinformation is identification information for identifying the externalapparatus.
 9. The communication apparatus as in claim 1, wherein thefirst communication scheme includes a Wi-Fi scheme, the first interfaceis configured to perform a wireless communication according to the Wi-Fischeme, the second communication scheme includes a Bluetooth scheme, andthe second interface is configured to perform a wireless communicationaccording to the Bluetooth scheme.
 10. The communication apparatus as inclaim 9, wherein the particular signal includes an advertise signal. 11.The communication apparatus as in claim 9, wherein the computer-readableinstructions, when executed by the processor, cause the communicationapparatus to further perform: establishing a second wireless connectionvia the second interface with the external apparatus in accordance withthe Bluetooth scheme, wherein the network information is sent to theexternal apparatus by using the second wireless connection via thesecond interface.
 12. The communication apparatus as in claim 1, whereinthe network information includes network identification information foridentifying the wireless network.
 13. The communication apparatus as inclaim 1, wherein the wireless connection request is sent from theexternal apparatus after a predetermined instruction has been given froma user to the external apparatus under a situation where an inquiryscreen is displayed on the external apparatus.
 14. A non-transitorycomputer-readable recording medium storing computer-readableinstructions for a communication apparatus, the communication apparatuscomprising: a first interface configured to perform a wirelesscommunication according to a first communication scheme; a secondinterface configured to perform a wireless communication according to asecond communication scheme different from the first communicationscheme; and a processor, wherein the computer-readable instructions,when executed by the processor, causing the communication device toperform: receiving second information via the second interface from anexternal apparatus after a communication of a particular signal has beenperformed with the external apparatus, the external apparatus isdifferent from the communication apparatus, the second interface beingconfigured to perform the communication of the particular signal;determining whether the received second information corresponds tostored first information in a case where the second information isreceived via the second interface from the external apparatus; shiftingan operating state of the communication apparatus from a non-parentstation state to a parent station state in a case where it is determinedthat the second information corresponds to the first information, theparent station state being a state in which the communication apparatusoperates as a parent station of a wireless network for performing awireless communication via the first interface and the non-parentstation state being a state different from the parent station state,wherein the operating state of the communication apparatus is maintainedin the non-parent station state in a case where it is determined thatthe second information does not correspond to the first information;sending network information which is related to the wireless network tothe external apparatus via the second interface in the case where it isdetermined that the second information corresponds to the firstinformation, wherein the network information is not sent to the externalapparatus in the case where it is determined that the second informationdoes not correspond to the first information; receiving a wirelessconnection request from the external apparatus via the first interfaceafter the network information has been sent to the external apparatus;and establishing a first wireless connection with the external apparatusvia the first interface by using the network information so as to formthe wireless network in which the communication apparatus operates asthe parent station and the external apparatus operates as a childstation, in a case where the wireless connection request is receivedfrom the external apparatus.
 15. A method implemented by a communicationapparatus having a first interface configured to perform a wirelesscommunication according to a first communication scheme, a secondinterface configured to perform a wireless communication according to asecond communication scheme different from the first communicationscheme and memory, the memory configured to store first information, themethod comprising: receiving second information via the second interfacefrom an external apparatus after a communication of a particular signalhas been performed with the external apparatus, the external apparatusis different from the communication apparatus, the second interfacebeing configured to perform the communication of the particular signal;determining whether the received second information corresponds to thestored first information in a case where the second information isreceived via the second interface from the external apparatus; shiftingan operating state of the communication apparatus from a non-parentstation state to a parent station state in a case where it is determinedthat the second information corresponds to the first information, theparent station state being a state in which the communication apparatusoperates as a parent station of a wireless network for performing awireless communication via the first interface and the non-parentstation state being a state different from the parent station state,wherein the operating state of the communication apparatus is maintainedin the non-parent station state in a case where it is determined thatthe second information does not correspond to the first information;sending network information which is related to the wireless network tothe external apparatus via the second interface in the case where it isdetermined that the second information corresponds to the firstinformation, wherein the network information is not sent to the externalapparatus in the case where it is determined that the second informationdoes not correspond to the first information; receiving a wirelessconnection request from the external apparatus via the first interfaceafter the network information has been sent to the external apparatus;and establishing a first wireless connection with the external apparatusvia the first interface by using the network information so as to formthe wireless network in which the communication apparatus operates asthe parent station and the external apparatus operates as a childstation, in a case where the wireless connection request is receivedfrom the external apparatus.